Viking Cancels Newcastle Cruise Calls Over Rising Tide Protest Concerns

Viking has canceled two planned cruise calls to Newcastle, Australia, citing safety concerns and the risk that an upcoming anti-coal protest could disrupt port operations, shore excursions, and the onboard guest experience.

What Viking canceled, and when the calls were scheduled

The cancellations affect Viking Ocean ships Viking Orion and Viking Venus, which had been scheduled to call at the Port of Newcastle in New South Wales during a period when climate activist group Rising Tide plans protest activity focused on coal shipping.

Australian media outlets reported different dates for at least one of the impacted calls. The Daily Telegraph reported Viking Orion was due on Nov. 24 and Viking Venus on Nov. 29, with both calls canceled ahead of Rising Tide’s planned protest window. ABC News Australia, meanwhile, reported Viking Orion had been planned to visit on Dec. 1, 2025, but that Viking decided not to proceed due to the potential for disruption tied to the People’s Blockade protest.

• The ships impacted are Viking Orion and Viking Venus, with Viking linking the changes to concerns about port access and shore programs during the protest period.
• The port call timing was reported differently by outlets, but both accounts tied the decision to Rising Tide’s People’s Blockade planning and the potential effect on passenger operations.
• ABC News Australia reported Viking Orion will spend an additional day docked in Sydney instead of calling at Newcastle.

What Rising Tide’s “People’s Blockade” is, and how long it is expected to run

Rising Tide has organized protest action targeting coal exports and coal vessel movements in Newcastle Harbour. The group’s planned event is known as the People’s Blockade and is intended to focus on coal shipping rather than cruise operations.

The Daily Telegraph described the protest period as running from Nov. 25 to Dec. 2. ABC News Australia described the People’s Blockade as an annual protest expected to include action to close the port’s navigational channel over a shorter timeframe beginning on Nov. 29, 2025.

Rising Tide’s stated objective is to end coal exports from the Port of Newcastle by 2030. The group has also drawn attention in recent weeks by spray-painting “Tax Me” on a coal ship, according to reports.

Local tourism and business groups warn of lost spending

Newcastle is not a high-volume cruise destination, and local leaders said the two missed calls could have an outsized effect on visitor-facing businesses that rely on cruise day trade.

Hunter Business Chamber CEO Bob Hawes said the impact could reach as much as AUD $800,000, adding: “That’s a direct injection into the local economy.”

In separate comments reported by ABC News Australia, Newcastle Tourism Industry Group cruise coordinator Stewart Ford put the loss at about AUD $750,000. Lower Hunter tourism operator Trevor Richards also argued for compensation tied to the disruption, saying: “I am seeking compensation for the demonstrable financial losses my business will suffer.”

Rising Tide says cruise ships are not a target

Rising Tide rejected the idea that it intends to interfere with cruise traffic, saying its efforts are aimed at coal exports. Spokesperson Zach Schofield said: “To do so would be strategic suicide for us and entirely at odds with the aims and politics of Rising Tide.”

Schofield also said the group was prepared to formalize its assurances, including in an email to Viking in which he wrote he would “be willing to sign a statutory declaration” stating Rising Tide would not disrupt a cruise vessel. In another message, Schofield said, “We call in the strongest possible terms for the Port of Newcastle to take active steps in securing the return of the Viking Venus and Orion, and stop political point-scoring at the expense of Hunter businesses.”

Port and government officials question whether assurances are reliable

Port of Newcastle executive manager of corporate affairs Lucas Coleman said he understood why passenger ship operators would be cautious, but questioned whether assurances could be relied upon based on prior protest behavior.

“They continue to give assurances, but we’ve seen them break those same assurances in the past,” Coleman said. He added that a previous commitment not to enter the shipping channel was not upheld, saying: “They entered the shipping channel.”

New South Wales Police Minister Yasmin Catley also criticized Rising Tide’s stance on responsibility for the fallout, saying: “It’s extraordinary that Rising Tide is now trying to shift the blame for the chaos they’ve created.”

What’s next on Newcastle’s cruise schedule

After the canceled Viking calls, Newcastle’s next scheduled cruise visits include Celebrity Edge on Dec. 13 and The World on Dec. 19. A future call by Viking Venus remains listed for Feb. 23, 2026, as port stakeholders and local operators watch whether operational planning and protest activity allow future calls to proceed without disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why did Viking cancel its Newcastle port calls?

Viking cited safety concerns and the possibility that Rising Tide’s People’s Blockade protest could disrupt port access, shore excursions, or the guest experience, even though the protest is aimed at coal shipping.

What is the People’s Blockade protest expected to involve?

Reports described the People’s Blockade as protest action organized by Rising Tide targeting coal exports and coal vessel movements, including plans to close the port’s navigational channel. The duration was described differently by outlets, ranging from Nov. 25 to Dec. 2 or beginning on Nov. 29, 2025 over a shorter timeframe.

How much tourism spending could Newcastle lose from the cancellations?

Hunter Business Chamber CEO Bob Hawes estimated up to AUD $800,000 in lost revenue, while comments reported by ABC News Australia cited an estimate of about AUD $750,000.

Did Rising Tide say it would target cruise ships?

No. Rising Tide said it does not intend to block non-coal shipping, with spokesperson Zach Schofield calling any disruption of cruise vessels “strategic suicide” and saying he would be willing to sign a statutory declaration stating cruise ships would not be disrupted.

Which ships are next scheduled to visit Newcastle?

Newcastle’s next listed calls include Celebrity Edge on Dec. 13 and The World on Dec. 19. A Viking Venus visit is also listed for Feb. 23, 2026.